Cops revive ailing man

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
Maplewood police used a defibrillator to save the life of a local man found unconscious in his living room on Jan. 9.
The 48-year-old man, whose name was not released, was on the floor when police got to the Wyoming Avenue residence at 8:15 p.m.
The first officers on the scene were Janette Lareau and Scott Reeves, authorities said. Police began administering CPR, with a third officer, Jim DeFazio, arriving with an automatic external defibrillator.
The resident required three shocks before police could detect a pulse.  He then started “gasping for breath,” police said.
A Maplewood Fire Department ambulance took him to St. Barnabas Medical Center. An update on his condition was not available as of Jan. 11.
Authorities were unable to say what his original medical problem was.
This marked the first time police had to use the machine in an emergency. Since last fall, the department has two of them on the road at all times.
Police also have the machines in headquarters. But by having two on the road, it ensures quicker response, police said.
In all, four police officers were on the scene, including officer Brian Weagley.
“The officers did a tremendous job,”  Chief Robert J. Cimino said in a phone interview on Jan. 11.
Philip Sean Curran can be reached at 908-686-7700, ext. 116, or at newsrecord@thelocalsource.com.